First responders telling stories

Story time takes different format

First responders may be extra busy lately, but they are never too busy to reach out to the community they serve and give back a little cheer.

After hearing about a story reading group that her daughter
was invited to online, Cpl. Claire Corkum-Timmons decided that as first
responders, it would be a great way to do something for others in a
time of social distancing.

“I thought, well, that’s a really good
idea,” said Corkum-Timmons. “I thought maybe as first responders we
could do something collectively for the kids in our area that are all
being home schooled.”

The Storytime with Pictou County First
Responders Facebook group was born from there, opening up to first
responders who want to submit their own video to the group as well as
anyone who would like to hear the stories being told by those posting.

“It’s
a positive thing, certainly,” said Corkum-Timmons about how it makes
first responders feel to participate in the group.”We’re able to let the
kids see that we’re human too and that we like to read books and that
we’re encouraging that and that other children get to read and see it
and it gives us a moment to just do something fun.”

Having only
started the group about two weeks ago it has grown to 335 members so far
and Corkum-Timmons is hoping that even more will join the group and
listen as well as submit. She added that she was thrilled when the local
fire department jumped on the idea happy to send in submissions.

Her
suggestion to other first responders: ”Pick a children’s book that
means something to you or if you have children, one of their books,” she
said.

There have also been members of the group asking if they
can make requests for certain books as well, which Corkum-Timmons said
they would be happy to try to accommodate if possible.

“I’m hoping that we can get enough videos that we can post one every day,” she said. “It’s only going to work if everyone is going to take part.”

Const. Lauren Stiles reads Oh The Places You’ll Go by Dr. Seuss in one of the videos that have been posted to the Storytime with Pictou County First Responders Facebook group.